Into Steam.

In 1883 the company went into steam. In that year it contracted with J. Elder and Co. (Fairfield Works) for the construction of the Tongariro, Aorangi, Rimutaka, Kaikoura, and Ruapehu, but the service was actually started with the chartered steamers British Queen, British King, Ionic, Catalonia and Doric The Catalonia was taken up for one voyage only in order to keep faith with the public (the Doric's delivery being delayed) and great expense was incurred by the company in fitting her out with refrigerating machinery, the whole of which had to be removed when she was returned to her owners, the Cunard Company. The arrival of the Catalonia in New Zealand marked the first appearance of the Cunard flag in these waters.

In 1884 the New Zealand Shipping Company were able to dispense with chartered steamers with the exception of boats for the carriage of general cargo in the wool season, and they then ran a monthly service, with their own fleet. As the trade increased the company began to add cargo boats to their fleet, the first being the Otarama, Tekoa and the Waikato. With the building of the first Ruahine a new type was introduced into the company's fleet—the central citadel for accommodating saloon passengers—and this type is now adopted by all passenger lines.